Unites States through its Ambassador to Malawi, Virginia Palmer has welcomed the suspension of 63 people at the Ministry of Health (MoH) on suspicion that they embezzled funds from the Centre for Disease Control (CDC).

US Ambassador Virginia Palmer: Bold step to root out corruption in the civil service

Kumpalume: Jobs on line

According to the ministry’s Principal Secretary Macphail Magwira, the 63 people have been sent on forced leave to pave the way for further investigations into millions of kwacha which are believed to be misappropriated.

Commenting on the development, the American Ambassador said “we are hopeful that the audit will identify those responsible and that they will be held fully accountable for the misuse of funds intended to improve the health of Malawian citizens.”

Palmer added: “ The audit will also exonerate those Ministry of Health officials fulfilling their important, life-saving duties with the integrity and commitment which have been the hallmark of Malawi’s public service.”

The American Ambassador said she commend the Minister of Health, Peter Kumpalume, the Chief Secretary George Mkondiwa and Principal Secretary Macphail Magwira “fr taking this bold step to root out corruption in the civil service.”

She stated: “ It is this kind of accountability that will make Public Sector Reform real and Malawi strong and prosperous.”
Jobs threatened

Meanwhile, Minister of Health Peter Kumpalume has warned the 63 civil servants sent on forced leave for abuse of allowances and fuel risk losing their jobs after a final audit report implicates them.

Kumpalume said this after the ministry sent the suspects, who include the director of human resources, the director of finance and chief accountant on forced leave on suspicion of abusing the allowance money and fuel meant for a project.

“They will be fired if they are implicated, that is what the law says,” said Kumpalume who confirmed 63 are on forced leave including drivers.

The minister said the 63 took allowances for trips they never undertook and some people not entitled to the allowances were given, money which was for CDC project, an American funded disease control project.

He could however not say how much was signed off, saying officials from the National Audit office are investigating the matter and the money involved would be known after their report is out.

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Please go and investigate at the Nutrition Dept how Pensulo Phiri Director of Nutrition and his concubines are eating Project Monies up to the extent of taking a copy typist being a Project Secretary leaving experienced 4 Secretaries. He is referred as OS at the department and is untouchable. Investigate him with Surprise Independent Audits.

Am surprised people are against those with MBBS some are even mentioning names of those with MBBS yet the head of human resource is not an MBBS holder so it the director of finance ir may be the drivers have MBBS? Hihihihihihihi

Aaash zinthu sizilibwino,Amalawi tidzasintha liti can’t you imagine the scam,swindling monies through dubious in the name of fuel allowance and other ill will.please Mr president sack whosoever found gulty of this and stay paranoid with any public officers,are vulgar and lack compassion to work with.Anthu kunjaku akumati ndinu president wopepera coz you talk much but less action, For you Kumpalume bravo to this and don’t spare Kasungu DHO also require audit.Conniving drugs there with guards has become order of the day,people are suffering due to such abuse of office,enquire them…..

I would like to request the minister to investigate the DHOs offices in the districts on the usage of funding. U will be shocked that DHOs and their teams give each other up to 15 nights and yet they do not go to the field. Theft in broad day light. Hospitals have shortages of fuel for ambulances of patients, drug shortage and food shortages. However they are never short of allowances. Allowances whereby these guys don’t go to the field. They just share. Almost all the young DHOs literary fail to manage their health facilities. Dr. Kumpalulume and donors and… Read more »

Good move the Minister of Health. Again, we hear lots of stories for CHSU, please investigate Deputy Director for TB with his Office Superitendent and see what these Dudes have been doing….ndangodutsamo ine!